Amtrak continues ridership growth in 2013

Amtrak ridership increased in the first half of FY 2013 and March set a record as the single best month ever in Amtrak history. In addition, October, December and January each set individual monthly records.

Amtrak ridership grew 0.9 percent in the first six months of FY 2013 as compared to the same period the prior year. In all, 26 of 45 routes posted ridership increases and Amtrak expects to end the fiscal year at or above last year's record of 31.2 million passengers.

"The continued ridership growth on routes across the country reinforces the need for dedicated, multi-year federal operating and capital funding to support existing intercity passenger rail services and the development of new ones," said Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman.

Northeast Corridor ridership took a significant hit from Superstorm Sandy, which is recovering and is predicted to show gains for the full fiscal year despite being down 1.2 percent for the first six months. Ridership on state-supported and other short distance routes is up 2.7 percent and long-distance ridership grew 0.5 percent.